Approval rates
The 70% approval rate for Zachary S. Weiss is based on 1,496 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 43% to 84% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Weiss. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Weiss's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Zachary S. Weiss has shown variation across the 1,496 decisions on record since 2016. After a 66% approval rate in 2016, the yearly trend fluctuated, reaching 76% in 2017 before settling into a range between 65% and 73% in subsequent years. The most recent data from 2021 shows a 72% approval rate.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Weiss's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Bronx hearing office
The Bronx hearing office serves you if you are in the New York region. This office has a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the judge reviews your medical documentation and testimony to determine your eligibility.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Bronx
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx, with approval rates ranging from 43% to 84% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating medical evidence, understanding the bench at your hearing office is helpful.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Zachary S. Weiss has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016. This places him within the 43% to 84% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Bronx. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Zachary S. Weiss has remained relatively steady since 2016, with yearly rates ranging from 65% to 76%. The most recent data from 2021 shows a 72% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily activities and how your condition limits your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While Zachary S. Weiss has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you build a strong case for your hearing.
